By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik, who was one of the first Shluchim of the Rebbe and has been a shining example for his dedication and love towards the Rebbe and fellow chassidim, has passed away on Shabbos, 1 Adar, 5781.
Rabbi Garelik was one of the first Shluchim sent by the Rebbe, and during his decades of Shlichus he brought many Jews back to Judaism. During his lifetime he merited many kiruvim from the Rebbe.
He was 88.
He was born 8 Iyar, 1932 to his parents, Rabbi Chaim Meir and Rebbetzin Rivkah Leah Garelik, who were sent by the Frierdiker Rebbe to spread Judaism in Crimea. As a child, he learned in the underground Yeshivas in Soviet Russia, and he emigrated with his family in 1947, first to Germany, and then on to Israel.
In 1949, they settled in the newly established village of Kfar Chabad, and he learned in Yeshivas Achei Temimim in Tel Aviv and Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Lod, with the Mashpia Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman.
He later traveled to learn in Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim – the Central Yeshiva at 770, led by Rabbi Yisroel Yitzchok Piekarski and Rabbi Mordechai Mentlik.
In Tammuz of 1958 he married his wife Basya, daughter of Rabbi Sholom and Rebbetzin Chaya Posner OBM, the pioneer Shluchim in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The wedding was held in the courtyard of 770 and they merited to have the Rebbe as Mesader Kiddushin at their Chuppah.
In Kislev of 1959, they embarked on Shlichus to Milan, Italy, and the Rebbe came out to escort his family as they set off. He was soon appointed as the Chief Rabbi of the Ashkenazi Jewish community of Milan.
During his decades of Shlichus there, Rabbi Garelik established a Chabad kehilla and a network of Mosdos, through which many thousands returned to Judaism.
In 1994, he spearheaded the building of the Bais Menachem building of Milan, a replica of 770 Eastern Parkway, which serves as the main headquarters of Chabad in the city.
Rabbi Garelik was a Shliach of the Rebbe in Milan, Italy for 61 years. During those years he brought thousands to their roots and built a network of Shluchim and mosdos throughout Italy, including Shuls, Mikvahs, Kosher restaurants and more.
Rabbi Garelik served as Av Beis Din of Kehilas Ohel Yaakov and one of the Rabbonim of Milan. He was the founder and director of the EK kashrus agency of Milan and founder of the Rabbinical Center of Europe.
He is survived by his wife Rebbetzin Bessie Garelik and children, Mrs. Rivky Hazan, Milan, Italy, Rabbi Levi Garelik, Crown Heights, Mrs. Soshi Shaikevitz, Milan, Italy, Mrs. Sori Krinsky, Crown Heights, Mrs. Chani Greenberg, El Paso, Tx, Rabbi Yossi Garelik, Crown Heights and Rabbi Moshe Garelik, Belgium.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Mrs. Yocheved Zalmanov, Mrs. Hadassah Perman and Rabbi Benzion Garelik.
The Garelik family will be sitting Shiva at 1468 Union Street (between Kingston and Albany Avenues) until sunday morning.
Shacharis: 9:30 am and 10:30 am
Mincha: 4:45 pm and 5:10 pm
Maariv: 6:05 pm
Visiting hours: 10:30 am-1 pm and 3-9 pm.
Friday Mincha: 1 pm (3 minyonim).
Sunday morning shacharis: 9 and 9:45
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes – R’ Gershon Mendel ben R’ Chaim Meir.
Such an amazing person. I was once in Milan for a couple of days and stayed in his house. He was so nice to me. I will always remember his gentle smile and kindness. I am too young to remember the rebbe but I always felt that Rabbi Garelik was the closest you could get to the real deal. Baruch Dayen Haemes
The world has lost a giant!
I’m deeply pain’d
Moshiach right NOW!!!
So sad, big shliach in lubavitch and will be missed. Bde
Bde
As a young Bochur Rabbi Garelik once farbrengnd with us all night.
One of his reoccurring themes was a descriptive vision of how when a young Bochur says shema at night he should say reading from a full size siddur.
It was presented so romantically that many of us were driven to recreate that vision.
BD”H.
A giant of a Chosid. A larger then life Human. Humble. Respectful. Greeted all with a gentle smile and warm greetings. I’ve been fortunate to have been around him many times as he spent time in NY. May he plead for Moshiach to come imminent.
What a great loss. Such an Ish Emes. A great Chossid a great Shliach, and yet greated everyone as if they were on his level.
BDE
I’m shocked and heartbroken.
One of the greatest Chasidim of our time.
הקיצו ורננו שוכני עפר והוא בתוכם!
SEE Rabbi GM Garelick and his Rebbetzin Yebadlu getting dollars from the Rebbe
https://www.facebook.com/100000471269080/posts/5785325504826434/?d=n
In 1957 R’ Gershon Mendel was appointed by the Rebbe to be mashpia at the new yeshiva of TT Lubavitch in Newark NJ (later to become Morristown. I was one of the 12 bochurim of the yeshiva that year. R’ GM got married at the end of the year. It was definitely the best year of my yeshiva life as R’ GM was very mekarev me and many times would wake me in middle of the night for a private farbrengen. 2 other bochurim were also often invited (Rabbi Avrohom Lipsker and Rabbi Pinchus Cunin).
Great loss BDE
the world has lost a giant. I was privileged to live in Milan and learn from this tzaddik, and be inspired by his special family. baruch dayan haemet
If it is anyone of Chassidei Chabad that went to Shamayim recently,it will be Reb Gershon Mendel Z”L who will be Matzliach in interceding on behalf of Klal Yisrael,and ask the Rebbe to beg Hashem to bring an end to this bitter Galus, and finally usher in the Geulah Shleimah Now Mamosh!!
BDE My husband and had the privilege of being shabbos guests of the Garelik family layel shabbos almost 20 years ago. A warm and delightful evening, never forgotten.
BDE Terrible loss
At a farbrengen 50 uears ago in 770 on very late nite ,”by coming there for no apparent reason”Rabbi Gorelick very sharply said one simple sentence direct to me about doing inyonim to assist what the Rebbe would want !!! would definitely occur!!!inspired me always till today!Fishel katz